Lost and Found (Warriors 83, Lakers 107)

If a martian had landed Sunday morning in California, purchased a paper and checked the NBA standings, it would have seen the Warriors and Lakers tied at the top. Sunday evening’s 107-83 whooping proved what we already knew — not all 2-0 teams are created equal. With Curry out and Lee missing in action, the outcome of the game was a foregone conclusion. Smart, however, made the most of the lost cause. The bench got extended — and productive — minutes, a variety of line-ups got real tests against some of the Lakers’ starters, and everyone made it to the final buzzer in one piece. When winning isn’t a realistic option, growth is the next best thing.

With a little luck, Stephen Curry will be back on the court Wednesday. The Warriors got a glimpse of what life without Curry would be like Sunday, and it wasn’t pretty. The team would have been a long-shot even with their point guard, but his absence altered the game in subtle ways. The team still focused on moving the ball, but generally failed to do so as quickly or crisply as when Curry leads the attack. As a result, the Warriors in the half-court weren’t nearly as good as those they got in their first two games, resulting in a lower shooting percentage. The Warriors also missed Curry’s three-point skills. With the Warriors unable to punish the Lakers from behind the arc, the Lakers felt comfortable sagging off shooters, packing the key and making other high percentage shots an even less realistic option. But despite these difficulties, the team made a decent attempt at still working within the offensive sets. The results weren’t always pretty, but it’s important that games like this not turn into free-for-alls if they’re to be semi-realistic development opportunities for the players at the end of the bench. There was intensity and focus all night for the Warriors, whatever the score. It’s a loss on the schedule, but it wasn’t a wasted night.

Other random thoughts on the end of the Warriors’ perfect season (the dream had to die somewhere):

David Lee had an awful game. He’s far closer to the player we saw the first two games than this one against the Lakers, but his struggles highlighted two meaningful limitations to his game. First, despite the nice defensive work against Griffin on Friday, he was chewed up by Gasol and Odom. He’s not alone in that category, but that doesn’t make it completely acceptable. If the Warriors are ever going to have a fighting chance against the best in the West, they’re going to need someone capable of slowing down low-post scorers. Maybe that guy is Amundson or even Udoh. But it’s probably not Lee, and he’ll need help from the other 4 Warriors on the court whenever he’s matched up against a post player with inside offensive skills. Second, Lee struggles to create his own offensive looks. He’s a master on put-backs and has been moving nicely within the Warriors’ sets to get slashing baskets and mid-range jumpers, but without a point guard to run the offense smoothly, he’s largely on his own to create offensive opportunities. He couldn’t do it against the Lakers, either forcing the issue — resulting in turnovers — or hoisting up bad shots. Again, not the end of the world for Lee’s game, but an aspect that will require help from his teammates and the offensive system to cover.

Smart made a great call giving Jeremy Lin extended minutes against Derek Fisher, a slower player, and on the road, where the pressure will be lower (no wild applause with every touch of the ball). This type of game is precisely the developmental opportunity players like Lin need to get up to speed with NBA basketball. Lin generally responded well. His defensive anticipation was very impressive, particularly with the passing lanes. He made the right decisions running the offense, including a pretty fast break. His shot is a knuckle ball and his lay-ups were prayers, but the team doesn’t need him to be a major scorer. If he can continue to bring active defense, smart ball distribution and general hustle, he’ll earn some back-up minutes against slower guards.

The other player to benefit from an extended run in the loss was Brandan Wright. He’s looking more fluid with each game and showed a variety of hooks as well as some nice ball-handling on his way to 11 points in 17 minutes. Again, these extended runs build confidence, which leads to better performances in games that matter. Wright still needs to work harder on the glass and fight for position on defense, but he’s showing steady improvement (and his arm hasn’t fallen off yet, which is always a plus). Off the court, the lack of an extension for Wright is a non-story. The Warriors can still give a qualifying offer and maintain his restricted status. This buys them the season to evaluate him and lets the League set his price. It also retains Wright’s status as an expiring contract, which could be useful come February with the trade deadline. Wright continues to intrigue, but the team was absolutely correct to favor a wait-and-see approach given almost no downside to the patient route.

After Reggie Williams and Brandan Wright, the bench may not be particularly skilled, but they’re making up for lack of talent with pure energy. Gadzuric, Bell and Carney were seemingly everywhere at times Sunday, blocking shots, grabbing rebounds, patrolling the passing lanes and running the break. That’s exactly the personality the Warriors need from them, and it’s no coincidence that the biggest runs against the Lakers came with mostly reserves on the court. That said, Charlie Bell shouldn’t shoot 10 times in a game even if he’s left open from 18 feet every possession. Unlike Bell, Carney played more within himself, attempting only 1 three-pointer and attacking the basket for most of his attempts. Smart’s still cycling through his bench players looking for contributions, but I’m more optimistic that they can contribute in limited bursts than I was two weeks ago.

Lost in the blowout were nice performances from Biedrins and DWright. Andris again showed some very smooth offensive moves and good activity under the basket. His man-on-man defense in the post was also the best of any of the Warriors given the task, although that’s not saying much. DWright similarly gave at both ends of the court, playing the inside/outside game on offense and harassing Bryant for much of the game on defense. The consistency from Wright’s game so far has been very encouraging, particularly given the up-and-down ride of his past few years. Overall, Smart gave the starters a relatively light night given the score, with Ellis topping out at a reasonable 38 minutes despite Curry’s injury.

Games like this are a good occasional reminder of how far the Warriors have to go before they’re in the same league with the NBA’s best. We’re not there yet, but Smart did a nice job using the tough competition as a learning experience. This loss was as close to a sure thing as you’ll find in the NBA, but the extra minutes given to guys like BWright, Lin and Carney will pay dividends in closer games when they’re able to step up with confidence and experience. Losing to the Lakers is never fun, but the most recent humiliation came with a pretty decent silver lining.

I like Steinmetz, but I don’t always agree with his takes. I disagree with this one. I still think that Curry is the most valuable player on the Warriors, though Ellis has really narrowed the gap this season with his change of attitude. (The talent has always been there.) I am elated that Ellis has turned things around and is in harmony with Curry. (If Ellis can do it, Meir, so can you. 🙂 ). He is back to being efficient and I admire how he has accepted his role as a scorer off the ball.

The fact is, Curry and Ellis together have showed in the preseason and the first two game of the season that they make a terrific pair and they compliment each other well.

I was one of the folks here who believed that Ellis should be traded, because he gave absolutely no indication last season that he was willing to play with Curry. But when Ellis showed a change of heart this season, I was elated. It takes a real man to admit that he was wrong, and Ellis did just that. Good for him! So I am back on board with Ellis. (And for the record, I never proposed trading Ellis unless the Warriors got a star player in return, and no, I did not consider OJ Mayo and Hasheem Thabeet star players.)

Curry and Ellis form the league’s most dynamic backcourt. I hope they are together for years.

Jules

7 players with a little over $20M in expiring and non-guaranteed contracts for next season… can give reason to new hope, or the same old dope.

When adding expirings and non-guaranteeds who are not signed, Lacob is looking at a team salary of about $48.3M to work with.

If the non-guaranteeds are extended, 12 players total, he’ll have $55.7M in the books, according to Sham.

Current salary cap is at $57.7M.

79 more games…

Jules

Golden State, where obscure opposing team players come to get their personal best records in the NBA… and the question begs to be asked:

Which Griz player will have a record-breaking night tonight?

And who will be defending that player?

Let’s hope the obscurity ends tonight!

Go, Warriors.

dr_john

Given the available roster, this is the most productive starting lineup available. Hope Smart can keep the faith in that for significant time.

dr_john

Without Steph and BWright, Smart started the 5 most productive on the roster.

The next three are probably Williams, Lin, and Adrien.

But now we’re already 2 into the three negative guys—VRad, CBell, and Gadz.

It’s early in the year, early enough to try to be lucky, but Smart should try his “luck” at being smart first. And that’s coming from a guy who likes VRad.

It’s gonna be interesting. Go dubs.

dr_john

About time to bring Lin in and give Monta a two minute blow

dr_john

Monta and DWright have been sharp, but good to see Carney back in. Bell and VRad have both done something good and the defense has been overall sharp

Arvid

So what’s up with the 9 million dollar center?
Biedrins goes out of the game and Warriors push it into a double figure lead; he comes back in and the game gets close again. He leaves with his third foul in 14 minutes and the lead gets into double figures again.
Warriors up by 12 at the half; only 1 Warrior in the minus: Biedrins.
Is he still injured? Did he play international ball this summer? What’s his excuse this year?
Zero shots attempted, and zero times to the line.
9 million dollars?

Looking forward to seeing what Amundsen and Udoh bring, though it would be a shame to see 9 million dollars sitting on the bench…
Waiting to see if (and hoping that) Smart can light a fire under this guy.
c’mon AB…make me eat my words in the second half!

I yi yiyi yi

3rd period suck WtF?@#$@%#@@@?!! agaist the grizzz?????

I yi yiyi yi

3rd period suck WTF?@#$@%#@@@?!! against the grizzz?????

I yi yiyi yi

Sorry about the second but we need a real pg back up and let Monta be the 2 and give him rest ….this sucks he can’t play all the minutes until Curry gets back

Son of Ahmed

Smart rested Ellis to start the 4th. It was a fairly prolonged rest, and Ellis game in the final minutes with fresh legs. It’s the little things.

Jules

Great TEAM win tonight, with a Curry-less bunch.

And we won the last 2 minutes of a close one!

Phew.

Jules

Interesting turn of event… the obscurity factor fell on our team instead and it was DWright who got his personal best record in 3 pointers made tonight!

Is this some sort of new chapter on reverse obscurity?

Can’t wait to see more of it…

believewhat

Smart has coached the game well.

I thought Smart did a mistake by inserting RWilliams as a starter last game as I thought RW should be constant at bench. I instead wanted Carney as the starter and he exactly did that. Smart is showing the signs of learning fast.

Monta was awesome.
DLee able to contribute even though struggling offensively.
Don’t know why BWright didn’t play, had to be injury, right
Vlad, as I mentioned in previous posts would need to make 3Ptrs early to contribute or he is nought
DWright is awesome, he is this year’s Channing Frye only with better handle.
My fav player AB was horrible, did very little in 30 mins. But as I said, I will give him a month to get back to his best.

In all, I think team will have problems with better teams because of thin bench. But if scoring and rebounding go together, team will win more games than lose.

CURSE OF MULLIN

Meir,

A month or two ago you were trashing Steinmetz, now you’re quoting his opinion?

Listen, Monta clearly has taken a huge leap in maturity and attitude during the offseason. That’s a great thing for the Warriors because he’s working on making others around him better, using his ability to create not only for himself but also for others. It makes him exponentially more valuable as an NBA guard than the way he played last season.

I still think Curry’s the more valuable player because of his court vision and BBall IQ but Monta’s certainly narrowed the gap and that’s a great development for our team. I’m now glad that the Warriors didn’t trade him for Mayo (against my view) although, you have to admit, Mayo looked good tonight, too and at 6 4″ he would be a good fit with Curry. But the new Monta is definitely better.

I am already a fan of Keith Smart
No more stupid shit dog house
No more 48mins Monta
No more stupid out of bound play

Smart is Smart

docklh

Not a bad game at all for the W’s. I was a little surprised Lin and Adrien got no burn but with Carney and DWright playing so well I guess it was to be expected. I’m so glad we never traded Monta. I was thinking about how badly we would be getting killed if he was not here.

Too bad Beidrens didn’t do well last night, I’m hoping he gets back to rebounding and scoring better Friday.

Anyway, a win is good for these warriors and to be 3-1 is a start (even though they are against sub par teams and at home) so some positive things to root for.